Appalachian Trail to be accessible throughout government shutdown

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) will remain accessible to the public across the approximately 700 miles managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and over 800 miles managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

A.T. visitors will be able to access and hike on the Trail itself, but no visitor services, maintenance or other management activities will be conducted, and emergency and rescue services will be limited.

Any entry onto NPS and USFS property during this period of a federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

All NPS and USFS volunteer programs are also suspended. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will not be able to engage with volunteers in activities on the Trail, Trail facilities or Trail lands.

National parks are treasured by Americans nationwide. They not only protect our national heritage, but they are important to local economies and the federal government has a responsibility to keep them both open and adequately funded. Congress and the federal government should together in the best interests of the country to re-open promptly.

For more information on the shutdown’s effects on the A.T., visit appalachiantrail.org/updates.

 

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